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Full-Day, 4-Year-Old Kindergarten for all low-income children in the state |
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Brain research shows a child’s intellectual capacity is largely set before he ever reaches kindergarten. Poor children are far less likely than middle-class children to receive the sort of brain stimulation they need at home. |
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Children who start kindergarten ready to learn are less likely to have to repeat a grade. Children who don’t have to repeat grades are more likely to graduate from high school, which means they’re much less likely to become dependent on welfare or involved in crime and more likely to become productive, taxpaying citizens |
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To respond to a court order, two years ago the State Legislature funded a two-year, full-day 4K “pilot program” in eight poor school districts. This was funded with one-time money which has now expired. School districts have been receiving state funding to offer half-day, 4-year-old kindergarten. However, to offer full-day programs, districts must allocate local funds, apply for grants or use federal Title I money |
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The Alliance supports state funding of full-day, 4-year-old kindergarten for all children in low-income families. |
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Current Legislation: Senate bill 815 |
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Calls for continued funding in 2007-08 for the eight school districts. Full-day, 4K funded for all at-risk children in the state by 2012-13. |
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Reported favorable out of Senate Education Committee; Now before Finance Committee. |
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Modify No Child Left Behind (NCLB) |
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The federal No Child Left Behind Act was up for reauthorization in 2007. Congress did not act, and the current law has been extended. It appears that modifications and reauthorization of the law will not occur until later in 2008 or until 2009. |
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Several areas of concerns have been identified including |
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Different state definitions of "proficient" |
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Unrealistic percentage-proficient targets |
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Overemphasis on standardized testing and test instruction |
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Sanctions that do not help improve schools |
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Results in extra assistance going to students just below "basic" or "proficient" and not to low-scoring children |
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Inadequate federal funding |
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The Alliance supports extensive modification of NCLB to address the above issues and other deficiencies in the law |
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More information |
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Increase the number of children with health insurance |
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Uninsured children have much higher health risks than do covered children. They are more likely to go without health services, may avoid or delay care when it is needed, and are less likely to receive the proper medical care for childhood illnesses such as earaches, sore throats and asthma. |
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Children without proper health care are at a greater risk of poor school performance. Early developmental problems are not diagnosed and addressed. Uninsured children are 25% more likely to miss school and are more likely to have behavioral problems than insured children. Undetected illnesses and health-related needs such as glasses impair a child’s ability to concentrate and learn. |
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The Alliance supports federal legislation to significantly reduce the number of uninsured children. |
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State Children's Health Insurance Plan (federal SCHIP law) |
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